A normal user's look into the world of 3D Stereo Technologies

The HDMI 1.4 specifications were introduced earlier this year, but we are yet to see devices using the new standard and taking advantage of the new features that were introduced, one of which is the official stereoscopic 3D support. Aside from that HDMI 1.4 increases the maximum supported resolution to 4K (4096×2160 pixels), new HDMI Ethernet Channel with speed of up to 100 Mbps, Audio Return Channel, new Micro HDMI Connector, expanded support for different color spaces and an Automotive Connection System.

Of course the thing you are probably most interested in is the stereoscopic 3D support that is expected to be the key factor into making the 3D support widely available on TV sets and other consumer electronic devices, including game consoles. The HDMI 1.4 specifications support wide range of 3D display formats at up to 1080p resolution, including: frame, line, or field alternative methods; side by side methods (full and half) and 2D plus depth methods. And as 3D video requires substantial data throughput, you’ll have to use a High Speed HDMI cable that can be even an HDMI 1.3 compatible, although with such you’ll not be able to use the new Ethernet Connection feature.

Here comes an interesting question that is related to PlayStation 3 – how will Sony add stereoscopic 3D support for the console that only supports HDMI 1.3? The truth is that even HDMI 1.3 is capable to provide enough bandwidth for 120Hz video output even at 1080p resolution, but the actual problem might be in the console not being capable to support 120 frames per second in Full HD resolution. So it is most likely that stereoscopic 3D gaming on PS3 will start of at 720p resolution, especially if Sony will want their consoles to be able to work on 200/240Hz displays providing enough fps for good experience. Anyway these are still some thoughts about the issue and are not based on official information coming from Sony, so we should still wait a bit more to see what will actually happen. It is also quite possible that the firmware update fore the PS3 that will add the S3D support won’t add support for gaming in stereoscopic 3D for all the already released games and we’ll have to wait for new titles. Another thing that is also still not quite clear regarding the PlayStation 3 is the support for the recently finalized Blu-ray 3D specifications and the upcoming Full HD movies on Blu-ray next year. The PS3 should also be able to play 1080p videos in 3D, but we are yet to see how thing will turn out…